The Grey Cat: A Purr-Fect Companion For Your Home

Domestic grey cats, also known as moggies, mutts, or mixed-breed cats, are the most common cat in the United States, accounting for around 90-95% of their number. They come in any size, shape, coat pattern, or colour—including grey!

Grey cats are often referred to as 'blue cats' due to the ethereal glow of their coat, which contrasts with a vast spectrum of eye colours. They are known for their playful and curious nature, as well as their intelligence and sociability.

If you're looking to adopt a domestic grey cat, you'll have plenty of options to choose from!

Russian Blue

The Russian Blue cat is a breed with colours that vary from a light shimmering silver to a darker, slate grey. The short, dense double coat, which stands out from the body, has been the breed's hallmark for over a century. The Russian Blue is a naturally occurring breed that may have originated in the port of Arkhangelsk in Russia, and they are also sometimes called Archangel Blues. They are believed to have descended from the cats kept by the Russian Czars.

Chartreux

The Chartreux cat is a rare breed of cat from France, recognised by registries around the world. It is a muscular, athletic breed with a blue-grey (or silver-grey) short-haired double coat. The Chartreux is known for its orange, copper or gold eyes, and its round face and pointed muzzle give it a permanent 'smile'. This breed is intelligent, quiet, calm and friendly, and is often described as having a monastic nature.

The Chartreux is an excellent hunter, and it is thought that French Carthusian monks first bred the cats for this purpose. The breed was first mentioned in the early 1700s when they were kept as ratters, but they were also killed for their meat and pelts during various crises in France. The breed was nearly wiped out during the First World War, and again in the Second World War, but was saved by European breeders. The first Chartreux cats were brought to the US in 1971.

The Chartreux is a good choice for first-time cat owners as it is playful, curious, sociable and low-maintenance. It is a healthy breed with few common health problems, but it can be prone to kidney issues. Chartreux cats are good with children and other animals, and are comfortable being left alone or travelling. They are also good for owners who work during the day, as they are independent and can be left to their own devices. However, they do require extensive outdoor space and plenty of mental stimulation.

Nebelung

The Nebelung is a breed of domestic cat with a distinctive appearance and temperament. The name, which translates as 'creature of the mist' in German, refers to the breed's shimmering bluish-grey coat with a silvery sheen. Nebelungs are considered a long-haired variety of the Russian Blue breed, with whom they share a similar appearance and genetic history. However, they are a separate breed with distinct characteristics.

The Nebelung breed originated in the United States during the 1980s when a black Domestic Shorthair mated with a Russian Blue, resulting in a litter that included a male with long blue-grey fur. The breeder, Cora Cobb, was taken with this unique appearance and started a breeding program to develop the Nebelung as a new breed. While they are now recognised as a distinct breed by some associations, they are still relatively rare and may be difficult to find through breeders or shelters.

British Shorthair

The British Shorthair is the pedigreed version of the traditional British domestic cat. It is one of the oldest cat breeds in Great Britain and remains the most popular pedigreed breed in its native country. The breed first came into the public eye at cat shows in London's Crystal Palace in the early 20th century.

The British Shorthair is a medium-to-large-sized cat with a compact, well-balanced, and powerful body. It has a short, dense, and plush coat with no undercoat. The most familiar colour variant is the "British Blue", with a solid grey-blue coat, but the breed also comes in a wide range of other colours and patterns, including white, black, blue, red, cream, smoke, silver, golden, cameo, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, and bicolor. The coat is very dense, with a plush texture, and requires minimal grooming.

The British Shorthair has a distinctive rounded head and face, with a short muzzle, broad cheeks, large round eyes, and a medium-sized tail. They are slow to mature, reaching full physical development at around three years of age. They are typically affectionate, easy-going, and calm, making them wonderful family cats. They are active without being hyper, tend to be quiet, and can live happily in almost any size house, including apartments. They are also playful well into adulthood and get on well with children and other pets.

American Shorthair

The American Shorthair is a breed of domestic cat believed to be descended from European cats brought to North America by early settlers to protect their cargo and food stores from mice and rats. They are a medium to large-sized cat breed, with males weighing between 11-15 lbs and females weighing between 6-12 lbs. They have a large, oblong-shaped head, medium-sized ears, large and wide eyes, a muscular body, and a medium-length tail.

The American Shorthair is a pedigree cat breed, with a strict conformation standard set by cat fanciers and North American cat fancier associations such as The International Cat Association (TICA) and the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA). They were originally known as Domestic Shorthairs and were renamed in 1966 to differentiate them from other shorthaired breeds and to emphasise their "all-American" origins.

Frequently asked questions